The consignment of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa is expected to reach West Bengal. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
In a goodwill gesture, Bangladesh’s interim government has announced that it will send 1,200 tonnes of hilsa fish to India ahead of Durga Puja later this month. An official notification issued on Monday (September 8, 2025) said that a decision had been taken in this regard “in principle”, and called for fish exporters to submit applications by September 11.
“Ilish (hilsa) is coming! The Bangladesh government just decided to export the quintessential fish to India ahead of the festival season as a mark of enduring friendship,” Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah said.
Bangladesh has determined that the hilsa, a prized fish during festivities in eastern Indian States, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, will cost $12.5 or around ₹1,100 per kg, which is significantly lower than the prevailing market rates for hilsa in India at present. Bangladesh has traditionally sent hilsa ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussera season.
The consignment of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa is expected to reach West Bengal. Although diplomatic sources said Bangladesh had attempted to send some additional consignments for Assam and Tripura, that initiative did not receive a response from local importers within the given time frame. The 1,200 tonnes is less than previous consignments for the same season. In 2024, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus sent 3,000 tonnes of hilsa ahead of the Durga Puja season. A similar quantity was maintained during the Sheikh Hasina years.
The announcement coincided with the start of the Joint River Commission meeting that will take up river water sharing on Tuesday (September 9, 2025).
Published – September 09, 2025 12:30 am IST